“Thirty”

Just a number to some, one score and half again,

But to me, much more, these three decades with my best friend.

A mere friend, at first, a chance meeting, a harmless game,

You said I was “obnoxious”; I wanted to know your name.

We laughed when Willard warned us, “You might meet your future mate,”

In the hopes that he was right, I asked you on a date.

Was a memorable night for us, although my face blushed with shame,

We shared popcorn but no glances, as we sat through Purple Rain.

Four years later, down the aisle, time to give this marriage a try,

Our guests praised my tearful emotion, not knowing I had pink eye.

Not long after, another oath, this time to “support and defend,”

The Air Force gave us orders, “Be in Oklahoma by year’s end.”

There was romance, lots of love; as for passion, it was strong,

Then your water broke in the parking lot, and Jason came along.

Next came Valdosta, Georgia, along with Kyle, another son,

We built a home in a wooded grove, and gathered pecans just for fun.

Then onward to Texas, I still remember our first big fight,

Birds don’t nest in Cowboy boots; you know I was right!

Off to Illinois next, for the Cardinals we’ll cheer,

Then the orders said Alabama, I studied war for a year.

You asked for some bratwurst, so to Germany we went,

Eleven countries in two years, still in love, still content.

Ate some schnitzel, saw the sights, loved what Europe was about,

But when young Kyle yelled “Hiel Hitler!”… it was time for us to get out.

Next stop: Virginia, where we made so many friends,

But if I don’t make it to heaven, it’ll be the Pentagon again.

My career winding down, what was next on the slate?

Better pack some sunscreen, we’re headed for the Sunshine State!

Raising two sweet boys, you’ll agree was the best,

Then one day we looked around; we were alone in an empty nest.

We’d traveled so much, should we stop and settle down?

Nah, let’s get an RV, become gypsies, and travel round and round!

They ask us, “Where you from?” An easy answer for most,

For us, not so simple, as we travel from coast to coast.

May I suggest a better question, a favor for this wordsmith,

Ask not where we’re from, but who we’re traveling with.

You see, the difference in our journey, as we travel far and wide,

Has been God at the center, and you, Jan, by my side.

What a journey it’s been, what an incredible, fulfilling life,

Three decades later, dear, and I’m so thankful you’re my wife.

Our love still fresh and growing, our marriage strong and sturdy,

We’re in this till our deaths, but for now, let’s celebrate thirty!